DA calls for debate of national importance in Parliament on Zuma’s Gordhan witch-hunt

25 August 2016

I have today submitted an urgent request to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete, for a debate of public importance on the Zuma-mandated witch-hunt against sitting Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, which has dominated public debate over the past 48 hours. 

In terms of National Assembly Rule 103, the Speaker is authorised to allow the scheduling of an urgent debate, so that the House can debate what can only be described as Zuma single-handedly attempting to capture the National Treasury. 

Over the last 48 hours, this matter has been fast-tracked, with Minister Gordhan being requested to appear before the Hawks - suggesting he may face possible charges and subsequent arrest in connection with allegations relating to the SARS “rogue unit”.

Following the ANC’s decimation at the polls on 3 August, President Zuma knows his days are swiftly coming to an end – both as President of the ANC and of the country - and has now begun to accelerate his personal project of state capture, in order to centralise power and get his hands on the people’s money to continue enriching himself and his band of cronies.

This move by President Zuma is clear and calculated - and seeks to gain control of the keys of the National Treasury. As former finance minister Trevor Manuel correctly points out, it would have devastating effects on our economy and on the close to 9 million unemployed South Africans.

It is also of deep concern that Minister Gordhan intends to file papers in the North Gauteng High Court today. The battle between Minister Gordhan and President Zuma has all the makings of an economic disaster, which will hurt every South African in some way or another.

While Zuma carries out his self-centered agenda, the South African economy and the hopes of the almost 9 million jobless South Africans are being swept aside. As the law-making body which is constitutionally mandated to represent the interests of all South Africans, we simply cannot sit back while Jacob Zuma runs amok. 

The DA's Chief Whip, John Steenhuisen MP, will be raising this issue in Parliament’s programming committee this morning. We trust the Speaker will deal with this pertinent issue with the due regard it deserves, and accede to our request.

The clear danger is that if Parliament fails in its obligation to hold members of the executive to account, it would be derelict in its  constitutional duty. Therefore, this is a critical debate and I would request that it be scheduled urgently.

In light of the mandate bestowed upon the DA by the electorate in the recent Local Government Elections, the DA will not allow Jacob Zuma’s project of accelerated state capture to come to fruition. South Africa and its people deserve better. 

Issued by Mabine Seabe, Spokesperson to the DA Leader, 25 August 2016